For those who see wine tasting as an art, the wine glass is naturally that indispensable tool to appreciate this genre of art with, for apart from it being nice to look at, a good wine glass can also accentuate the characters, aroma, texture and look of the wine to enable oenophiles unique experiences by enhancing the depth of flavours and nuances. Crowned by Time Magazine as the clan of master glassmakers that 'has done more to enhance the oenophile's pleasure than almost any winemaking dynasty', Austrian wine glassmaker Riedel is the forerunner in the production of wine glasses with characteristics designed to enhance specific types of wines. With every wine glass made by hand, the lead-crystal mouth-blown into the mould, and the stem and base produced by methods developed 2,000 years ago, Riedel more than passes for an authoritative voice on all you need to know about wine glass.

Red Wine

• Bordeaux (Cabernet Sauvignon/Cabernet Franc/Merlot)

Red wines produced in the French region of Bordeaux are known for their rich, complex and unique taste and depth of aromas, meaning they taste best with a wine glass with broad and lower bowl, which allows the aromas to circulate and manifest themselves.

• Burgundy (Pinot Noir/Chardonnay)

Characterised by luscious aromas and just the right amount of tannins, Burgundy works best with wine glass with even broader bowl to accumulate aromas, and slightly tapered rim to direct the flow of wine towards the front palate, highlighting the rich fruity notes while tempering the acidity. Especially designed for the appreciation of Burgundy, the Burgundy Grand Cru of Riedel's Sommeliers line has been put on permanent display at the Museum of Modern Art in New York.

• Syrah

Syrah is a dark-skinned grape used to produce powerful red wines with toasty notes of black olives. Opt for a wine glass with centred bowl and narrow rim that directs the flow of wine to the upper palate, hence allowing you to experience the wine's silky texture and sensuous fruit flavours, while the tannins flow to the back of the palate for a perfect, smooth finish.

White Wine

• Burgundy/Chardonnay

Known for their soft fruity notes, the white wines of Burgundy and Chardonnay are best with shorter wine glass with wider rim, which allows the wine to flow to the sensitive tip of the tongue for full appreciation of the delicate acidity and depth of flavours.

• Riesling/Alsace Grand Cru/Chianti Classico

For wines with higher acidity and sweetness, opt for taller wine glass with narrow rim to deliver a harmonious, rounded character and texture.

By now, you must be excited to put these wine glass tips to test. It's a great idea to consult wine experts when buying wines and wine accessories to learn more about the long-established wine tasting culture. Remember, though, the best way to appreciate wine is to drink responsibly!

Special Thanks:
Riedel（www.riedel.com）